First Bike....First wreck

[Chasez33]

So I am feeling pretty bummed right now. Just bought my first motorcycle last week. 2004 Buell XB12s. Absolutely love it. Today on my way home from work I got caught up in some rain and was doing fine until the final turn into my subdivision the rear wheel kicked out and I laid it down on the left side. Luckily I am fine just a few scrapes and pretty sore. The bike wasn't as lucky.

Below are the pics. There is a dent and scrape on the frame, broken turn signal and then I broke off the shifter and cracked the primary cover. All of the fluid leaked out of the primary.

How bad does it look? Also, how do i get it back into neutral? Do you think I just need to replace the primary cover and the shifter and I should be ok? Would anything be messed up internally?

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/VFLUTTER/205062_86_zpskxjn0gsm.jpg

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/VFLUTTER/205062_809_zpszdlt5qz8.jpg

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/VFLUTTER/205062_7602_zps8rjsmkoe.jpg

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y408/VFLUTTER/205062_7552_zpshlrkger1.jpg

(Photobucket sucks, use a different photo hosting site, maybe google+ or w/e?)

 

[djs2k2]

I don't see any pictures!

 

[DualSportDad]

Paint the frame some, stick some frame pucks over the dent. Replace the primary cover and broken shifter parts.

 

[rchuff]

Sorry to hear that and that sucks. Totally put frame pucks on

 

[TPEHAK]

How fast were you riding in the turn?

 

[Global Eyes]

That sucks, but i cant for the life of me figure why people don't put frame pucks on these things.

 

[djs2k2]

 

[Gloomshadow]

oh its not that bad man.. just start looking for a new primary cover or figure out a way to repair the one you have.. bondo the frame and sand it back into decent shape, spray some factory touch up paint and some frame pucks and youre good to go. don't bum out over it or fixate on it.. just do it once piece at a time until its all done.

 

[BKKBuell]

welcome to the club... good to hear that you are ok. The frame just paint and put a frame protection bug on it. The primary I believe need to be replaced.

 

[Chasez33]

Thanks everyone. Its frustrating but I know it happens to most new riders at some point.

I was going 10-15mph. I lost traction coming out of the turn. I actually just drove by the spot and it looks like there is some gravel/debris in the road so I am guessing I hit a spot of it. I have Pilot 2CT tires so they may not have been the best for wet conditions.

The Pazzo folding levers I put on a few days ago worked just as intended.

I am going to order a new shifter and primary cover from American Sportbike. I also see the frame pucks ill pick up.

Besides the frame pucks I saw a whole slider set from TRex or a Stunt cage type cross bar from Race Rails. Any of these protects worth it?

 

[DougH]

I bought my bike used but it has the axle slider with built in stand slots. It's from ASB and seems worth it to me. More protection is always good.

 

[BambamXB12r]

I personally have purchased both the T. rex and 50dro frames/engine sliders and had figment issues(bolts too long, pain to align) with the T. rex. The 50dro went on perfect and are highly recommended. Also 50dro is one of the forum sponsors so it's always nice to point business in his direction. Whatever you choose, ride safe and within your ability. Glad to hear your okay.

 

[BambamXB12r]

I personally have purchased both the T. rex and 50dro frames/engine sliders and had figment issues(bolts too long, pain to align) with the T. rex. The 50dro went on perfect and are highly recommended. Also 50dro is one of the forum sponsors so it's always nice to point business in his direction. Whatever you choose, ride safe and within your ability. Glad to hear your okay.

 

[BambamXB12r]

Not sure what happened there but I also can put some pics up of my engine slider if wanted.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Like most everyone has already said, don't get too bummed out about it. Happens to the best of us. Just remember it the next time you ride in similar conditions.
Also keep in mind brand new tires will be just as slick as a wet road and when the mercury drops the painted lines in the road can be quite slick. Just a little FYI, since you did say you were a new rider, to help you avoid a similar situation in the future.
Do you have a service manual? If not check out buellmods.com and get one.
Good luck

 

[UMDterp13]

You can probably find that stuff used, looks like $200-300 in damages. Ignoring the frame of course.

Insurance would total it but since it's your fault idk how to attack that, just ride it. Tell people a dinosaur jumped out in front of you

Definitely grab pictures of rocks & debris in the road with the road sign.
I'd more guess you hit painted lines with water on them? I've done that before.

 

[Chasez33]

I ordered a new primary cover, shifter, and various parts and then bought a pitbull rear stand to lift it up.

Any ideas how to get the bike back into neutral? vice grips on the shifter or linkage?

Also, Is replacing the primary cover pretty straight forward? I am thinking i am going to try to do this myself.

The bike the day before the accident. Damn Missouri weather.

 

[ztied]

Clamp the vice grips real tight and try to get the splines in the teeth of the vice grips you dont want the vice grips to spin on the shaft. This has worked for me plenty of times. Would you be willing to sell me the shifter and linkage when you replace it, i could use some of the parts.

 

[Shawns]

Paul probably has what you need. I believe his user name is paulpud? He has an ebay store too. At least your ok, you bike can be fixed.

 

[go cytocis]

Some good ideas above on how to repair your bike. Glad you're OK!

Damn Missouri weather.

I wouldn't be too quick to blame the weather. Yes wet roads are slicker than dry roads, but crashing isn't inevitable. Plenty of folks ride year round, in all weather, for hundreds of thousands of miles, without ever having a problem.

Selecting a 1200cc bike as your first bike frankly may have contributed to your crash; it's real easy to pour on too much power until you've learned the basics of throttle control & traction limits in different road conditions. It's also easy to lose your balance or footing wrestling with so much bike before you've got the feel of it. Braking in the wet can also be challenging for newbs.

Did you get professional lessons? If not, I'd budget for a rider training course before getting back on your bike after it's fixed.

Welcome & good luck with your return to the road!